Page 30 of Purr For Me
Chapter Nine
Kade sat in a booth by the window, sipping water and working on an article while he waited for Lexie. From his vantage point, he’d be able to see her as soon as she arrived. Calling Lexie had been a gamble, but he’d hoped she could be enticed with food. He was glad he’d taken the chance.
Three mornings each week, he boxed at the Golden Gloves Gym and always ate a light breakfast at Sunny’s beforehand. Kade never wasted time, and he often worked while he waited for his meals. He’d just started making notes for his weekly blog when Lexie walked in the door and looked around.
She looked gorgeous and adorable at the same time. Her ponytail was a little unruly, cascading down her back in a thick mass of sable waves. He stifled a groan at the way her jeans shorts molded to her hips and showed off her up-to-her-armpits sexy legs. How his brother could’ve ever cheated on her…
That’s what addiction did to you. Kade knew if he was ever lucky enough to make Lexie his, he’d never want another woman again.
He got her attention with a brief wave and closed his Surface Pro. Since he’d gotten Lexie out of bed, he felt that he owed her his full attention, not that he’d be able to concentrate on work with her around, anyway.
Her smile as she walked towards his table was a trifle sleepy, and Kade imagined what she looked like upon first waking in the morning. His writer’s imagination kicked in, and he saw them lying in bed together in a tangle of arms and legs. He could almost feel how soft and warm she’d be against his body.
Snapping out of the fantasy as Lexie reached his table, Kade said, “Good morning, Lex.”
She slid into the booth opposite him and smothered a yawn with a hand. “Morning. I need coffee.”
“That can be arranged.” Kade motioned to a waitress. “I’m glad you came.”
Lexie smiled and picked up one of the laminated menus. “I didn’t have any choice once my belly heard the word ‘bacon.’ I’m surprised you didn’t hear it rumble over the phone.”
Kade chuckled as the waitress arrived.
“What can I get you?” she asked.
Kade motioned for Lexie to give her order and listened with amusement as she ordered a huge breakfast of pancakes, eggs, bacon, and fresh fruit. He chose whole wheat pancakes, turkey sausage, fruit and one egg. Lexie accepted the mug of coffee the waitress offered, but Kade declined.
Lexie sent him a curious look as she put cream and sugar in her drink. “Don’t you like coffee?”
“I love it, but not right before working out. It’s a diuretic, and I need lots of hydration,” he replied. “But when I’m on a deadline and have to write all night, I drink tons of it.”
A smile accompanied a shake of Lexie’s head. “If I didn’t know you, I’d never take you for a writer.”
He laughed because he heard that a lot, but he wanted to know why she felt that way. “Why?”
She brought her ponytail around to drape over her chest and played with the curly strands of hair at the end. “I don’t know. I guess I think of writers as geeky people who don’t go out of their houses much.” Her eyes traveled over him. “And there’s nothing geeky about you. I mean, look at you. You look like a sexier Vin Diesel—all fast and furious—okay, no furious, actually. You smile too much.”
Kade’s shoulders shook with laughter and she grinned at him. “I’ve never heard anyone describe me that way before, but I’m glad you think I’m sexy.”
Her cheeks turned pink, and she rubbed her forehead. “Sorry. I never know what’s going to come out of my mouth at this time of day.”
“No need to apologize. Compliments are always welcome, especially from you.” He put his elbows on the table and leaned closer. “You know what I can’t figure out?”
Lexie sipped her coffee. “What’s that?”
Kade decided to push his luck and take another risk. “Why I let Jason marry you.”
Lexie’s blush deepened, and she set her mug on the table. “Quite frankly, looking back, I wished you’d stopped me marrying him, too.” She almost cringed at the bitterness in her voice.
Kade’s teeth ground together in anger at the way her voice went a little flat, and he put a hand over hers. “My brother is sick, Lexie. It’s not my fault, and it’s not yours. Don’t let him make you feel less than you are.”
Although she glanced at his hand, Lexie didn’t pull away from him and his chest puffed out. “It’s hard when he treated me like shit. It’s hard to walk in on Jason in our bed with some track bunny and not take it personally.”
“That says more about Jason than you.”
Her beautiful eyes welled with tears. “That makes me stupid and gullible.”
“No. Not only are you beautiful as hell, you’re way smarter and more mature than he’ll ever be. You have an incredible work ethic, you’re a phenomenal artist and killer mechanic. Any man would be lucky to have you, and I know it doesn’t feel like it right now, but you’re so much better off without Jason the addict. You deserve someone who’ll appreciate all your fine qualities.”
